Formed in 1981, NORFORCE is one of three Regional Force Surveillance Units (RFSUs) employed in surveillance and reconnaissance of the remote areas of Northern Australia.

Based at Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin it is the largest of any military unit in the world today.

Part of the training programme included spending time in an Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger.

The ARH Tiger is a two-seat, attack helicopter that performs a wide range of missions. It is fast and agile with the capability to discover and engage targets at long ranges.

Prince Harry participated in flight simulation training, ahead of out engaging in reconnaissances flights with members of the 1st Aviation Regiment.

Harry has been busy during his time with the 1st Brigade. He has participated in the daily activities of soldiering, including physical training sessions and preparing for field exercises as part of Exercise Thunder Observer.

Exercise Thunder Observer is a Joint Fire Team Training exercise that will be carried out by the 1st Brigade’s 8th/12th Medium Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. The exercise is designed to support combat readiness and includes a live fire collaboration between the ground and air assets.

A champion for supporting wounded and injured soldiers, Harry met with some of the Army’s wounded and injured service men. Always keen for a game, he joined a game of wheelchair AFL (Australian Football League) with soldiers from the Soldier Recovery Centre and the 1st Brigade.

During his time on duty with NORFOCE, Harry met locals from the Wuggubun community. Whilst at Wuggubun, Captain Wales spent time speaking with elders and children of the indigenous community.

After a briefing on NORFORCE’s operations, Harry went through a quick programme on bush survival lessons that included ways to source food and water. Following the survival lessons, he then joined a patrol with members of NORFORCE and spent two nights camping in the remote Kununurra region.

Prince Harry’s attachment with the Australian Defence Force will resume after Gallipoli commemorations in Turkey. He will then return to spend time with Australian Army units in Perth and Sydney.